Mississippi Senior Living Communities

The excitement of riverboat gambling, the sluggish pace of the Blues, the sweet scent of the magnolia—this is Mississippi. And it’s a state that has an astounding 749 assisted living options. So how do you go about narrowing those choices down? You can start at Senior Living searching by city or town for a listing of the nearest senior communities. You’ll find maps, reviews from residents and retirement-related articles. To get you started, here are some Mississippi facts you may find interesting.

Mississippi’s overall cost of living is 8% below the national average; housing costs are 22% below the national average. Social Security, VA benefits, IRAs, 401s, and qualified public and private pensions are not taxed. Property is taxed at only 10% of its assessed value. If you’re disabled or older than 65, you can receive an exemption on the first $75,000 in value. These numbers could be enticing to retirees. However, there is another side of the state’s economy you should be aware of. Unemployment is at 10%; they have the highest percentage of people living in poverty; and at just $24,293, the lowest GDP per capita in the country.

The climate is what you’d expect from a Deep South state along the Gulf Coast. Summers are hot and humid; winters are mild. For example, the normal high for Jackson in July is 91 degrees; the normal January high is 55 degrees. In the Tupelo in the north, the January high is only 50 degrees. Down on the coast in Gulfport this goes up to 61. Expect a lot of thunderstorms and the occasional hurricane which can easily wreak havoc like Katrina did in 2005.

Do you know how safe the state is? According to the National Institute of Corrections, Mississippi’s crime rate is 12% lower than the national average. The state’s biggest cities have the following rates: Jackson’s overall rate is 130% above the national average; Biloxi’s is 47% above; Gulfport is 7% above. These higher rates are balanced out in the smaller cities and towns. For example, Ocean Springs’ (pop: 17,225) rate is 24% below the average.

If you’re a golfer, you can enjoy one of the state’s 189 courses for year-round play. From Biloxi to Natchez, Vicksburg on north to Tunica, you’ll find 24-hour casinos, world-class entertainment and dining. For birders, try the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, and the Horn Islands. If you like to fish, Mississippi has 175 freshwater species as well as the bigger catches in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ready to start? Click on a city link or type an address in the search field above. If you have more questions click on Contact Us, fill out the short form, and Senior Living will be in touch. Make your search for Mississippi senior living communities easier and more productive.